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NEI Research News

Thanks to the work of NEI scientists and grantees, we’re constantly learning new information about the causes and treatment of vision disorders. Get the latest updates about their work — along with other news about NEI.

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Model of protein structure with 4 protein chains

UNH Researchers Solve Protein Structure Associated with Inherited Retinal Diseases

Researchers at the University of New Hampshire have reported the first structural model for a key enzyme, and its activating protein, that can play a role in some genetically inherited eye diseases like retinitis pigmentosa and night blindness.
Schematic showing how to produce iPS cells

NIH launches first U.S. clinical trial of patient-derived stem cell therapy to replace and repair dying cells in retina

Researchers at the National Eye Institute (NEI) are launching a clinical trial to test the safety of a novel patient-specific stem cell-based therapy to treat geographic atrophy, the advanced “dry” form of age-related macular degeneration.
A section of cortex with colorfully labeled layers. Layer 4 stands out in a pinkish hue

Study probing visual memory, amblyopia unveils many-layered mystery

Researchers at the Picower Institute at MIT have discovered cellular mechanisms behind amblyopia and visual memory.
Grantee News

LSU Health discovers critical role of two proteins in vision and preventing blinding eye diseases

LSU researchers have discovered unique patterns of genetic activity that may lead to the development of blinding retinal diseases.
NIH National Eye Institute logo

NEI seeks public comment on future research goals

As the year 2020 approaches, the National Eye Institute (NEI) is developing new plans for vision research over the coming decade.
Blood vessels in the retina

Helper protein worsens diabetic eye disease

In a recent study using mice, lab-grown human retinal cells and patient samples, Johns Hopkins Medicine scientists say they found evidence of a new pathway that may contribute to degeneration of the light sensitive tissue at the back of the eye.
Image of scanning electron micrograph

NIH, NIST researchers use artificial intelligence for quality control of stem cell-derived tissues

Researchers used artificial intelligence (AI) to evaluate stem cell-derived “patches” of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) tissue for implanting into the eyes of patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a leading cause of blindness.
Zebrafish facility

Zebrafish study reveals developmental mechanisms of eye movement

Researchers studying zebrafish have found that genes linked to autism spectrum disorder and other developmental brain abnormalities may be playing a role in people who cannot control their eye movements.
An illustration of a human brain with stimulated neurons.

Deep neural networks uncover what the brain likes to see

Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Tübingen in Germany have developed a novel computational approach to finding stimuli that neurons in the brain ‘like.’
Rhesus macaque monkey

Discovery in monkeys could lead to treatment for blindness causing syndrome

Oregon National Primate Research Center at OHSU reports first-ever nonhuman primate model for Bardet-Biedl Syndrome